OTR Trucking Is HARD WORK???

I keep seeing posts on Facebook and you tube about OTR and how HARD it is and how these guys were LIED to or mislead about hometime, etc. by these big ol mean trucking companies. Luckily, a lot of responses come from experienced drivers like some of y'all here that say you SHOULD'VE researched more or to drive local. I responded with the following:

"HAH! Spend thousands on a college education to sit in a cube for 14 years, then get told your job was 'eliminated' after restructuring. SUDDENLY you lose benefits, salary, 401K, everything you worked for. I have been looking for a job in I.T over a YEAR but apparently the 'older' experienced I.T. pros "COST" too much to keep or hire. Oh, I found one,after about 8 months, a part-time position paying a THIRD of what I was making!!! forget that... APPARENTLY I.T. is for young, recent college grads with certifications that don't mean squat(suckers).. If I DID find a job in I.T, who knows how long it would be before it is outsourced or eliminated? and I'm BACK in the same boat? I'm getting into trucking to work HARD, take PRIDE in what I do and feel I am contributing to the economy. Not be just another number in a cube.....I want my performance to be on ME and not some projects success."

Yeah, I am aware that OTR is tough. But go to work EVERYDAY looking over your shoulder, wondering who's watching you, who's gonna be NEXT on the "elimination' list(I survived 2, but the third one got me and my team), the STRESS of those 'status report' meetings wondering if my 'status' meets up with expectations. Explaining what you DID to the team everyday, document what you did everyday. The paranoia so THICK in the office it chokes you. That kind of stress sucks the life out of you. Some days I called in sick, just because I couldn't face another day of it..14 YEARS of that! WHINE to ME about stress!!!!!!!

I know it's gonna be tough, and I'm apprehensive and anxious, heck, I 'm SCARED!! BUT I want to live and work hard and enjoy my life. Cube life ain't living y'all...It slowly eats away at you until you're just numb and DON'T CARE. Maybe that's why my job was eliminated, because I just didn't care anymore..

But now, I want to control MY destiny instead of some corporation deciding for me.. I look forward to working with AMERICANS instead of some 'imported' contractor who I can't understand. I look forward to the cold, and sweating, and the hard work because THAT'S LIVING!!! and FINALLY, I look forward to becoming part of making America WORK!!!!

(insert patriotic music here)...

Gary

I love it Gary!

I think you will make a fine truck driver.

That was awesome Gary!

Indeed stress does suck the life out of you, and trucking unfortunately is quite stressful on a regular basis. But most of the time it comes down to how you look at things. Most people get way stressed out over things they shouldn't and carry frustrations with them long after they happen. That's a killer. Once you get out there you'll meet some drivers like that. Actually, you can spot em from across the parking lot. They look haggard. They're run down, exhausted, and staring blankly at nothing. They seem almost like zombies.

If you can learn to relax out there, enjoy yourself as much as possible, and let things slide off your back you'll do well in trucking. Every day out there will have its share of obstacles, challenges, and frustrations. But that doesn't mean you have to look at them in a negative way. Some people see a mountain in front of them and can't wait to get on the climbing gear! Others wanna curl up in a fetal position and cry. It just depends on your spirit and your approach to life.

Gary

I worked in IT for 23 years. I know exactly where you're coming from. I'm shocked I lasted that long actually. I had more fun getting shot at in the sand box than working for some college grad IT PUSS..Ys who have no idea what common sense and real work is. I was doing a job that required a Bachelors degree with a HS education. I knew it was time to walk when I started screaming at my boss with several expletives peppered throughout. It's the corporate BS like, you're in trouble for something I forgot to tell you to do. My boss is mad at me that it isn't completed yet and I need a scapegoat to take the blame and I picked you.

Good news.. I start school this Monday the 16th, finally!

six

It's the corporate BS like, you're in trouble for something I forgot to tell you to do.

My ma does bookkeeping for a good size corporation and we talk all the time. She has an endless stream of stories like that. The main boss at her location is seriously having memory issues and keeps yelling at everyone for doing things she told them to do! My ma figured out a while ago to make the boss email her every major request so she can prove she was told to do it. I mean, how bad is that???

But I know what you're saying about them needing a scapegoat - different scenario but equally as stressful and frustrating.

Trucking is really frustrating at times because nobody that runs any of these major companies, enforces the laws, or writes the laws have any trucking experience. The entire industry is being run and governed by people who are totally guessing most of the time. It'll make you irate sometimes. They make policies, write laws, and spec out trucks in ways that are so far from logical that you don't know if you want to laugh, cry, or punch someone in the face. But whatever you do, don't give anyone in the offices your honest opinion of anything. You guys already know how that turns out!

Here is what i figured out so far bout the winers of truckin i like to call them, is this they drove down the rd and what did they see? a guy sittin behind a wheel for 11 hrs ok easy right?, well what they failed at us while drivin hes thinkin of what maneuver to do next ,if hes goin to make his appt.,whats that car over thier goin to do. thats the mental stress of it.

now the physical ya load/unload ur own trlr ,ya drop/hook ur trlr ya speak and comsult with ppl.ya fuel.ya do a pre,mid and post trip insp..

see what most fa at is truckin isnt a job its a lifestyle ur away fr family most cases mnths before ya swe them again. it cannot be co pared to any job out there,if ya allow it it will chew u up and spit ya out into pieces and not care. ive been at that point just recently so i took time off from drivin and on here.

i was so ready to snap on most for posts for no reason and i was snippy in the least to fellow drivers on the rd. dnt let this happen to u.ya will notice from past posts ive made i have a diff attitude now its a get over it and move on attitude.i used to care but what i posted as to hurtin feelings but aftter some thought ive noticed sugar only coats.

I'm right here with you guys. I have been in IT/Tech Support Management for over 20 years. I have worked with fortune 500 corporations, and mom/pop shops. Sadly, I was laid off back in January of this year, and have not been able to find steady work since. Talking to a couple of recruiters has confirmed that most positions that open in the Los Angeles area get an average of about 400 applicants. Not very good odds.

So I am currently studying to get my permit, and playing the game to see if I can get WIOA funding. I like to work hard, and I definitely understand the stress of a desk job. I averaged about 60 hours a week actually in the office, and another 10-15 at home or driving where I was handling work related issues. I am definitely not afraid of long hours sitting, or of hard work.

I am really hoping to get into realm of flatbedding as it sounds like more of a challenge, more interesting, and better pay. As soon as my son heads off to college in 2 years, the wife will be free to join me, as we take this adventure together.

Best of luck to you!

From the sounds of the other guys posts, we've picked the right thing to do after working IT jobs....lol. I have spent the last 7 years in the IT industry and love the job but all of the bosses keep looking for the next best college grad or next best kiss ass. I am going on 45 and decided to live my dream of driving a truck after being fired for testing a website blocking solution from home. It was time for a change. I am not looking at this as something to bide my time until another IT job comes along, I am going into this as the LAST career move for me. I'm still waiting to get into school and am looking diligently to find a company that will fit for me but I have no doubt that it will happen and that I will have a great time doing something for me finally.

I have no doubt that this will be something for me to be proud of for years to come!

Hi, Todd, welcome to Trucking Truth! We've had a few IT people come through. Hang out in this forum. Here's some stuff to get you started. The High Road program will get you all set up for the CDL written test.

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road Training Program

And for your further reading, check these links out:

Truck Driving School Listings

Paid CDL Training Programs

Trucking Company Reviews

25 years of retail management and in 2 weeks I start training at Wil-Trans. I've been lied to, cussed at, worked 70 hour weeks, stressed over everything possible that retail delivers. After months of reading and doing my homework I've decided that trucking will be a good move for me. The thought of being responsible for myself and not 50 other people and knowing I'm actually making a difference is exciting. I'm also fortunate to have a wonderful wife of 26 years who supports me and if all works out will join me on life's job and adventure. Thanks for sharing this post and thanks to everyone who contributes to Trucking Truth. This site has been very helpful!

OWI:

Operating While Intoxicated

Wil-Trans:

Darrel Wilson bought his first tractor in 1980 at age 20, but, being too young to meet OTR age requirements, he leased the truck out and hired a driver.

Through growth and acquisition, Wil-Trans now employs over 200 drivers, and has a long-standing partnership with Prime, Inc. to haul their refrigerated freight. The family of businesses also includes Jim Palmer Trucking and O & S Trucking.